GOOD EATS #2

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — At prestigious Cornell University some students are feasting on dog food.

It’s one of a variety of experiments by professor Brian Wansink, the rest deal with people food, on what influences our eating without us even realizing.

“We think we’re master and commander of all our food decisions, but were not,” said Wansink.

So what can get people to try dog food? Apparently, the word “organic.”

“When people believed it was organic, they were much more likely to try and taste it,” Wansink said.

When it comes to regular food, they’re looking at whether seeing yourself in a mirror that makes you appear thinner, will result in you eating more. Also, they’re looking at whether using a tray that’s secretly weighted down will make you put less food on that tray.

Wansink runs the school’s food and brand lab. Based on what he’s learned, he’s written a book called, “Mindless Eating.”

“Of all the people who cycle through here, most people on average within a year end up losing 15 to 20 pounds,” said Wansink.

So how did they do it?

No Bowls On The Table
The first tip, don’t put food in serving bowls on the table; instead, make up plates in the kitchen.

“This really works for guys,” said Wansink because guys generally eat fast.

“The rest of the family eats in slow motion compared to us, so what do we do? Well, we eat seconds and thirds and fourths, just so that we have something to do,” he said.

Wansinck said men eat 29 percent less if bowls are left on the kitchen counter.

Serve Salad First
Serve salad or veggies first. That’s because, according to Wansink, we tend to eat more of whatever we start with.

“This works tremendous for kids,” Wansink said.

But if given a choice, with everything out on the table, people tend to go for meat or potatoes first.

Dim The Lights
Maybe even try candlelight.

You might not realize it, but Wansink said, “It slows you down and allows your appetite to kind of catch up with your brain.”

The result, you’ll eat less.

Avoid Loud Music
Avoid loud pop or rock music while you’re eating.

“It’s distracting and what we find is people tend to eat to the beat,” Wansink said.